Vitamin E comprises of Tocotrienols and Tocopherols. Tocotrienols have similar structure to tocopherols, but they contain three double bonds in the carbon side chain of the molecule [it has eight different isomers: a family of four Tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma and delta) and four corresponding tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma and delta)].

Tocotrienols are present in some plants. They are found mostly in palm oil extracted from palm fruits. Other sources are rice, wheat germ, oat and barley.

Tocotrienols have been found to be bio chemically different from tocopherols. The major structural difference between tocotrienols and tocopherols are at the tail. Tocotrienols have 3 double bonds at the tail whereas tocopherol has none. The difference in structure causes tocotrienols and tocopherols to work differently in our bodies. When found in nature, all 8 forms are available, yet most of the vitamin E supplements sold commercially to date contains one major form of vitamin E, which is alpha-tocopherol. Palm derived Tocotrienols are complete vitamin E as they contain both Tocotrienols and Tocopherols.

• Palm based tocotrienols have been shown to have the ability to reverse arteriosclerosis. Palm based tocotrienols have the ability to reverse blockage of the carotid artery and hence, reduce the risk of stroke and arteriosclerosis.
• Tocotrienols have been shown by human and animal studies to have the ability to reduce the production of total serum cholesterols. They inhibit the enzyme HMG-Co A Reductase in the liver that is responsible for the production of cholesterols. Tocopherols have no effect on serum cholesterol.
• Tocotrienols are very much more potent antioxidant than tocopherols. It has been shown by published research paper that alpha-tocotrienols is 40-60 times more potent than alpha-tocopherol in the prevention of lipid peroxidation. Delta-tocotrienols is the most potent of all the commercially available tocotrienols.
• Tocotrienols is an effective natural agent to prevent increase in blood pressure. It also enhanced total antioxidant status in plasma and blood vessels.
• Tocotrienols especially delta and gamma-tocotrienols have been shown to inhibit certain type of cancers especially human breast cancer cells. Palm based tocotrienols have been shown by more than four different research centers in the world to have the ability to inhibit both the estrogen positive and estrogen negative breast cancer cells. In those studies, alpha tocopherol has no effect at all on human breast cancer cells.
• Palm based tocotrienols have been proven to inhibit platelet aggregation.
• Tocotrienols, with their unsaturated side chain, allow them to pass through the membrane bi-layer (mainly made up of unsaturated fatty acid) in a more efficient manner, this will facilitate the absorption of tocotrienols.
• Palm based tocotrienols have also been shown to be effective in preventing protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation after a strenuous bout of exercise. Athletes especially body builders and sprinters generate tremendous amount of free radicals in their body. Hence, tocotrienols being a very potent antioxidant and vitamin E, protects athletes and body builders against protein and lipid peroxidation.

Those who would like to maintain a healthy life including individuals needing to improve the antioxidant status. Research has shown tocotrienols to actively lower cholesterol levels, prevent blood from clotting and chemo protective. People looking for an effective antioxidant should take tocotrienols. It is wise to begin tocotrienols supplementation in young adulthood and continue throughout one's life.

Toxicological and pharmacological studies showed that supplementation with palm based tocotrienols up to 2500mg per day per kilogram of body did not produce any significant side effects. Tocotrienols are natural compound found in various food and oils such as palm olein, rice bran oil, wheat germ, barley, etc. There are vitamin E and one may be taking tocotrienols through these normal foods without even realizing it.